It’s not just about doing more with less. New solutions can help save money, but they also save something more valuable: time. Read on to learn how producers at Smartypants, Structure Films, and London Alley are upgrading tech in order to stretch budgets and resources farther than ever.

It’s no secret that the financial pressure is on for unscripted producers. But a recession and the accompanying price spikes have added an extra strain when it comes to balancing the books.

Cue that all too familiar mantra: “It’s time to do more with less.”

Because it’s in a producer’s nature to maximize the quality of content, when money’s tight, every penny usually ends up on screen. It’s just an easier decision to pay expenses that show up in front of the lens — concept development, cameras, lights, sound, and all the toys that make a higher-quality production. It’s tempting to skip past efficiencies that will make a difference off-screen. But that’s a trade-off productions don’t have to make anymore.Case in point: most reality TV producers use legacy payroll services that are dated, cumbersome, expensive, and time-consuming. The problem is, these systems are not designed for the job and are a forced fit, making it difficult to keep teams connected while managing payroll smoothly and compliantly.

An all-in-one payroll platform like Wrapbook puts production spend at a company’s fingertips, consolidating onboarding, insurance, payroll, and cost tracking into a single, intuitive platform. It can help hire employees, contractors, and vendors while tackling compliance hurdles like unemployment, workers’ compensation, and reporting. Whether you’re looking for a better way to collect onboarding forms, protect the production company from liability, or pay crew compliantly per state law and union rules, the solution is built into the platform.

But greater efficiency doesn’t just mean the ability to do more work. It also translates to fewer headaches and communication breakdowns, and less time worrying about whether you’re adhering to a slew of laws and regulations. So, you’re not just saving money — you’re getting the freedom to focus on your creative vision.

And the investment in a dedicated solution can quickly pay off. Wrapbook helped Smartypants efficiently produce their first Oscar-nominated doc, Stranger at the Gate. Structure Films, meanwhile, has “made payroll an afterthought” since they switched to Wrapbook. And London Alley, one of the world’s most sought-after music-video production houses, was able to cut payroll time in half.

Because, in the end, unscripted producers are right: the maximum amount of money should always end up on-screen. But that starts with a modern payroll solution that ensures they get the most out of every dollar that goes out the door.

Download Wrapbook’s free eBook and learn how other producers are saving time and money by sharing the real, measurable impact that they experienced using Wrapbook.